We are currently halted after hours awaiting earnings. Meanwhile some news is coming out.
General Instrument and DIVA Systems Collaborating to Deliver True Video-On-Demand Services Over GI's Interactive Digital Cable Platform
PR Newswire - April 30, 1998 13:27
Lenfest Communications to Deploy True Video-On-Demand Service Over GI's
DCT-1000 Interactive Digital Platform This Year
HATBORO, Pa. and MENLO PARK, Calif., April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- General
Instrument Corporation (NYSE: GIC) and DIVA(TM) Systems Corporation have
entered into a letter of intent defining a system solution to jointly enable
and market DIVA's OnSet video-on-demand (VOD) service on GI's DCT-1000 and
DCT-1200 interactive digital cable platforms. By integrating DIVA's OnSet(TM)
VOD service with GI's industry leading digital interactive cable platforms,
this joint effort will enable cable operators to commercially deploy a
cost-effective integrated VOD system over their GI interactive digital cable
systems by this fall.
For operators currently deploying GI's DCT-1000 interactive digital cable
platform, the integration of DIVA's OnSet VOD service will provide them with a
complete solution, from equipment to content, for a commercially deployable
VOD system. This integration will build upon an operator's existing GI
interactive digital cable system, enabling the commercial deployment of the
OnSet service utilizing the embedded base of GI interactive digital set-top
terminals. Through an OpenCable compliant implementation of DIVA's OnSet
service, operators will be able to build upon the embedded investment in the
more than 1 million DCT-1000/1200's shipped to date, and lead the market by
delivering a true video-on-demand service to their digital cable customers.
One of the first customers for this new video-on-demand service will be
Lenfest Communications. The DIVA service is currently being offered through a
DIVA developed implementation using separate VOD set-tops in selected
neighborhoods, or "nodes," in Delaware County, Pa. Lenfest's Suburban Cable
division offers the service. This joint effort will enable DIVA's OnSet
service to be streamed from the headend to an operator's DCT-1000/1200 digital
set-tops, and potentially open up VOD service to the more than 25 million
homes currently passed by GI's industry leading interactive digital systems.
"The ability to bring DIVA's OnSet service to our customers over the GI
digital platform is great news for us, our customers, and the industry as a
whole," said Gerry Lenfest, Chairman and CEO of Lenfest Communications. "Our
Suburban Cable division will be deploying interactive services using GI's
digital systems and set-tops beginning this year."
The DCT-1000/1200, GI's current generation of digital interactive
set-tops, offers a rich feature set including real-time RF return, MPEG-2
digital video, Dolby AC3 Digital audio, and the ability to integrate
seamlessly with embedded GI analog systems. With over 1 million units shipped
to date, the DCT-1000/1200 provides the industry with a powerful platform
capable of delivering a wide range of applications such as Video-On-Demand,
Internet access, e-mail, community networking, electronic program guides and
more. GI maintains a commitment through its Horizon Developers program to
help advance the integration of new services onto GI's digital platform and
enable operators to deploy an ever-increasing array of revenue-generating
services on their GI digital platforms.
DIVA's OnSet service, already developed and deployed in four U.S. cable
systems, provides customers with instant access to hundreds of the latest
Hollywood movies, classic "library" titles, and an outstanding package of
children's and family programming at any time. Additionally, the service
offers fast-forward, pause, and rewind functionality. Because OnSet also
enables customers to "bookmark" the movie, they can return to it hours later
... right where they left off.
Viewers control the OnSet service through a navigator which is a
user-friendly, audio and visually engaging display on the television screen.
By simply working the remote control, they can access previews or select
content by title, movie genre, or lead actor. Movie information screens
provide more detailed information and immediate access to a preview of each
title. Tutorials on how to use the service and account management options,
such as setting spending limits or parental control features, are also easily
accessed through the navigator and remote control.
"This joint effort represents another step in our ongoing commitment to
provide our customers with an ever-evolving array of revenue generating
services. The capability to deliver true video-on-demand service is certainly
one of the most popular of the interactive services to be delivered by GI's
interactive digital platform," said David Robinson, Senior Vice President and
General Manager of General Instrument's Digital Network Systems. "Already
commercially deployed, DIVA offers a comprehensive package including its
powerful server, customer interface, asset tracking, billing applications and
turnkey support to operators; and is a strong compliment to our interactive
digital system."
"With its broad base throughout North America, GI is the clear market
leader in developing and deploying digital interactive systems," said Paul
Cook, Chairman and CEO of DIVA Systems. "This presents us with an extremely
attractive opportunity to leverage the interactive capabilities of this
platform and deploy our OnSet VOD service to a significant customer base.
This strategic collaboration will allow the many operators who are now
deploying or plan to deploy GI's interactive digital systems to offer their
digital customers true VOD through our OnSet service this year."
DIVA Systems Corporation is the leading provider of digital
video-on-demand services to the cable television industry. It is a privately
held company founded in June 1995 with the acquisition of rights to the
"Sarnoff Server" obtained from the Sarnoff Corporation (formerly RCA Labs),
the world's premier visual imaging laboratory. DIVA is headquartered in the
heart of California's "Silicon Valley" on the campus of SRI International
(formerly the Stanford Research Institute), in Menlo Park. It began
commercial deployment of its digital video-on-demand entertainment network,
OnSet, over cable television systems in the Fall of 1997.
Certain statements of DIVA contained in this release, including those
relating to large scale deployments of DIVA's OnSet VOD service with cable
operators, are forward looking statements and therefore are made pursuant to
the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Actual results may differ and such differences may be material. These
statements involve risks and uncertainties, including that they are dependant
on entry into long term agreements with cable operators, expansion of existing
cable operator agreements based on the results of DIVA's initial deployments,
the existence of upgraded cable plant, the continued development of DIVA's
technical platform and services, continued access to programming content, the
rate and extent of consumer acceptance, and the impact of development of
competitive products and services.
General Instrument Corporation (NYSE: GIC) is the world leader in analog
and digital systems that provide video, audio and high-speed Internet/data
services over cable and satellite TV networks. GI's cable and satellite TV
operations have approximately 7,000 employees and annual sales of
approximately $1.8 billion.
Visit General Instrument at the Cable-98 show in Atlanta, GA in booth 2106
and DIVA in booth 3452.
GI Web Site - gi.com
DIVA Web Site - divatv.com
SOURCE
/CONTACT: Sharon Corbitt, Manager of Media Relations, 215-323-1873, or
scorbitt@gi.com, or Dick Badler, VP, Corporate Communications, 215-323-1618,
or dbadler@gi.com, both of General Instrument; or Patrick Gushman, VP,
Corporate Communications of DIVA Systems, 650-859-6961, or
pat.gushman@divatv.com/
/Web site: divatv.com
/Web site: gi.com
(GIC) |
